“For more than seven years, President Bush’s position on climate change can best be defined as completely insufficient. The Administration has been largely dismissive of the overwhelming need to set a strong policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the very real and growing threat of global warming to our environment and to our security.

“While today’s announcement signals an elevated interest in this urgent issue, it does not erase the Administration’s dismal record nor does it lay forth the bold plan that is needed to achieve our climate change goals. A true commitment to that effort requires far more than what the President is proposing.

“Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress have long called for serious and sustained climate change action. In the 110th Congress, we have passed historic legislation to improve automobile fuel efficiency, promote renewable sources of energy and invest in new energy-efficient technologies. In addition, we have proposed legislation to turn back the clock to slow, stabilize and ultimately reverse greenhouse gas emissions, and we urge the Administration to partner with us.